May 20, 2014 5:43pm EDTMay 20, 2014 5:43pm EDTRay Rice, accused of striking the woman he later married, will enter a program for first-time offenders. Whether the NFL punishes him further remains to be seen.Ray Rice and wife Janay(AP Photo)

Ray Rice will avoid a trial, and thus jail time, on charges that he struck his then-fiancee at an Atlantic City casino in February, prosecutors in New Jersey have announced. Instead, the Ravens running back will enter a diversionary program for first-time offenders.

"After considering all relevant information in light of applicable law it was determined this was the appropriate disposition," acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain said in a statement, according to the Baltimore Sun.

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With the legal case resolved, however, the NFL still may step in and discipline Rice under the personal conduct policy, including a potential suspension.

Rice pleaded not guilty on May 1 to a count of third-degree aggravated assault in an incident in which he allegedly knocked Janay Palmer unconscious. He was caught on a security camera dragging an immobile Palmer out of a hotel elevator by her feet. Rice was charged in late March, and he and Palmer were married a day later. The two reportedly had entered counseling soon after the alleged assault.

At the owners' meeting in Orlando in March, commissioner Roger Goodell had said the NFL was monitoring Rice's case.